A URL represents a website address. A URL that ends without a slash is usually one used to designate a file. A URL that contains a slash typically represents a directory structure, though not always. Whether or not a trailing slash in the URL will matter for search engine optimization, or SEO, linking issues, depends on what it represents, and whether or not it returns an "OK” status from the Web servers it is directed to.

Web Servers

Web servers may be affected by a trailing slash in the URL, which could influence how SEO linking issues are determined. Web servers are sometimes configured to serve different Web pages. It is first important to understand exactly where the Web server is directing the URL, and what the server’s HTTP response headers are. Only one URL version will return an "OK" properly. For example, if the header begins with an “HTTP/1.1 200 OK” response, this is the optimal scenario. A URL that returns a Web server message like "HTTP/1.1 301 Moved Permanently" would need to be changed. An alternate version may send back something unwanted, such as a “404 Not Found.” You may use a tool to determine where Web pages are directing the URL to, such as one offered by Google Webmaster Tools. To use the tools, first create an account.

Search Engine Detection

Technically, two Web addresses may look similar and even take a Web visitor to the same website, but they may actually be very different, from an SEO perspective. For example, a trailing slash in one URL could be read by search engines as two separate and different URLs. This scenario can create the potential for duplicate content issues to arise, which can confuse both people and search engines.

Duplicate Web Content

Using a slash is usually considered neither correct nor incorrect for SEO purposes. What matters is consistency. One URL version should be chosen and used. Then the website should be configured around that and links designed accordingly. Configuring both a URL with a slash and without one for the same name has duplicate content consequences. When a trailing slash in the URL causes duplicate content, this issue could greatly affect SEO linking efforts. Duplicate content provides an unwelcome challenge for search engines like Google, and it can dilute link-building activities.

Backlink Considerations

When trailing slashes are used in URLs for backlinking, Google will recognize those Web pages differently than a main page that has no trailing slash. While content management systems may redirect similar Web pages, there is still the possible scenario of duplicate content, an unfriendly SEO issue that is best avoided. This is why it is important to use the exact same URL of the Web page that you want to link to, and from, in marketing and content distribution efforts.

About the Author

Susan S. Davis is a member of the Society of Professional Journalists and the L.A. Press Club. She was managing editor of "The Hosting News" and a columnist at Online Dating Magazine. Davis attended Chicago's Medill School of Journalism, and holds an A.A.S. in radio broadcasting from Minnesota Business College and a certificate in paralegal studies from University of California, Los Angeles.